Nebraska AD Dannen discusses Cook's legacy, Busboom Kelly's future
The news of legendary Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook’s retirement on Wednesday surprised many around the program and the volleyball world.
Luckily, Husker athletic director Troy Dannen had enough time for a nearly seamless transition.
Less than 20 minutes after NU announced Cook’s retirement, it officially named Louisville head coach and former Husker standout Dani Busboom Kelly as Cook’s successor.
During his monthly show on the Huskers Radio Network, Dannen said Cook approached him last Thursday and told him, “It’s time.”
“John Cook is the greatest coach in collegiate volleyball history,” Dannen said. “You hate the thought that he’s not going to be in your locker room.”
As he discussed the next steps with Cook, Dannen quickly realized that they shared the same vision with Busboom Kelly, which he called a “no-brainer” hire.
“Nothing is ever seamless, but this is about as good as it gets for us…” Dannen said. “I was fortunate she did say yes.”
“Fortunately, she wanted to come home,” Danned added.
Cook, DBK got their wish on announcement timing
Dannen said Cook and Busboom Kelly wanted to keep the transition as quiet as possible until the time was right for an announcement. Both coaches wanted to personally tell their players of their decisions before the news went public, and they got their wish.
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“It was maybe a once-in-a-lifetime sequence of how it worked,” Dannen said. “But Louisville and Nebraska worked really well together behind the scenes. The fact that the women heard from the coaches and not from anybody else – they’re due that respect. Very rarely do they get that respect during these transitions.”
Cook will hold a formal press conference on Thursday at 10 a.m. CT, which will air on the Big Ten Network. Busboom Kelly spoke with Nebraska’s players and staff over the phone on Wednesday night and will be in Lincoln on Thursday to meet them in person.
Nebraska will formally announce her as head coach during what Dannen called “a celebration” at the Bob Devaney Center next Thursday at 2 p.m. CT. It will also air on BTN.
Busboom Kelly is expecting her second child with husband and former Husker football player Lane Kelly this spring.
“When we look back on Coach’s legacy, we’ll look at trophies and Final Fours and wins and all that other stuff,” Dannen said. “Coach’s legacy is being cemented right now because he’s passing down a national championship-level program to his successor. He didn’t squeeze everything out of it and run away and say, ‘You guys are never going to be as good after I left.’
“Again, that rarely happens, but Nebraska volleyball is more than just a sport… This would only happen at Nebraska.”
